Time for a Formula 1 Revolution

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OK, deep breath. This month in Motor Sport we’ve stuck our figurative neck out. As the striking cover of the April issue states so clearly, we believe it is ‘Time for a Formula 1 Revolution’.

We’re fast approaching the start of the new Grand Prix season, one that already promises a monumental shake-up from the front to the back of the grid, and an all-new era of ‘efficiency’ motor racing. Is that not revolutionary enough?

Not for us, I’m afraid. And judging by the countless emails, letters, website comments and face-to-face conversations we’ve had from and with our readers in recent years, it’s not enough for many of you, either.

Frankly, we’ve had our fill of ‘fake’ Grand Prix racing. We’ve all had to adapt to new levels of artifice in F1 in the DRS/rubbish tyres era. But double points for one or three races, designed to add spice to a show that must generate otherworldly revenues for shareholding investment companies that have no interest or intention to nurture the sport from which it feeds… It’s sent us over the edge.

So instead of producing a meaningless preview to a season that is impossible to predict, we present our vision for an alternative future for Grand Prix racing. One that draws on the spirit of F1 as once it was, but embraces a changing world in which motor racing is struggling to find its place.

Bernie Ecclestone is the fulcrum around which F1 currently revolves. He has been the spark for almost everything we know of as modern Grand Prix motor racing – both good and bad. But we’ve stated before, and we state again now: we believe it’s time for him to go, whatever happens in (and out of) the German courts in the weeks and months to come.

Whenever that day dawns, what happens next is the great unanswered – and largely unaddressed – question in modern motor racing. And so we come to our intention of publishing this new framework for F1. This isn’t simply to knock a sport and the man who has built it up; it is designed to take the initiative, to kick-start a debate, to inspire positive action, not only among fans but also among the movers and shakers who invest so much within the sport to make it all happen. What should be the template for F1’s future? How far off course has F1 strayed from its raison d’être? Is genuine revolution – commercially, technically, sportingly, humanly – really possible?

Here are the key principles to the framework that Grand Prix editor Mark Hughes presents in our pages:

Restructuring the sport’s finances to give F1 teams greater return, combined with the introduction of a budget cap. This would make F1 teams less beholden to demands from commercial partners and remove the need for technical sterilisation of the sport and pay drivers

Opening out the technical regulations to allow for greater competitive volatility

A reduced, 15-round F1 calendar with Grands Prix only staged in countries with a strong F1 fan base

Banning team PRs from circuits to encourage freedom of speech and allow personalities to flourish

Capped-costs feeder formulae with chassis engineering freedom

I’m not going to repeat Mark’s story word for word in all its detail (we do, after all, hope you might buy the magazine!). But trust me, these principles are all fleshed out with sound logic and pragmatism. Is some of this radical? Yes, certainly. Is this vision naïve? We’d argue absolutely not. Is it realistic? Well, this is where it really gets tricky.

To embrace radical change, first you must acknowledge that problems exist. Within F1, however, too many influential people refuse to recognise the sport is in trouble – despite 50 million-odd TV viewers having apparently deserted it during the past year. There are so many key figures with vested interests – doing very nicely as things stand, thank you very much. Why rock this gold-plated super-yacht?

Because, as Red Bull and Renault appear to be discovering on track, a position of strength can weaken very quickly. Nothing stays the same forever. That’s why we’d like to see the process begin now, rather than waiting for the inevitable chaos of the post-Ecclestone wasteland.

Red Bull was quick to keep prying eyes out of the garage when things went wrong in Jerez

It’s our sport, not CVC’s. Together, let’s take it back.

Elsewhere in the April issue, editor-in-chief Nigel Roebuck also dwells on the artifice of F1, in conversation with both Alain Prost and Martin Brundle; Andrew Frankel pays tribute to US F1 ace Peter Revson, who died 40 years ago this month; Simon Taylor lunches with our new website columnist Paul Tracy, who lifts the lid on his colourful Indycar career; and there’s also a chance to win a terrific package trip to the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, to witness Porsche’s long-awaited return to the race it aims to reclaim from Audi. More than ever, this year’s Le Mans is one race you won’t want to miss.

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Editor

This is Damien’s second spell as editor of Motor Sport, following his short stint (just nine issues!) in 2005. He has returned to the magazine after two years as editor-in-chief of Autosport, a magazine he first joined in 1996. During his time on the weekly, Damien covered everything from club racing to Formula 1, via Formula 3000 and sports car racing.

Concerning double points in the last race, can be tricky and maybe in force for one year, after they find out that the teams and drivers find are very inventive to steer the outcome of the race!
We will see………….

on 26th February 2014 at 11:15

Garry

Great, cant wait! When is the digital version out?

on 26th February 2014 at 11:32

Morris Minor

Well Done Chaps!

Five years too late, but nevertheless, a stout-hearted effort.

We, of course, stand with you.

VIVE LA RÉVOLUTION Comrades!

on 26th February 2014 at 11:32

Piero Dessimone

This is what I expect from MotorSport.
Look forward to receive the new issue here in Italy.

on 26th February 2014 at 11:44

Ben O'Driscoll

Wow, this is just epic. Thanks so much for doing this, it’s highly vindicating when a major publication echoes your views so exactly, when the rest of the world seems to be ignorant of all F1′s problems.

Will definitely be picking up a copy of this.

on 26th February 2014 at 11:55

John

Brave stuff, I’m looking forward to reading it all. I’m curious will you do a follow up sometime in the future about how this was received directly/indirectly by the powers that be and folk in the paddock?

on 26th February 2014 at 11:57

René Claus

Thank you Motorsport. It’s about time!

on 26th February 2014 at 12:22

Ben

It sounds like a very good plan.

While I like the ideas behind the proposals to reduce the F1 calendar & reduce race fees, I think these are the least likely to be accepted due to the impact that this would have on the returns for CVC. I’d simply settle for them getting rid of DRS, double-points and tyres that degrade almost instantly.

My only other objection to your proposals would be the banning of pit-to-cars radio. I appreciate that this would mean that tactics would be more down to the driver and we’d be rid of drivers driving to set lap times – but we’d lose the wonderful exchanges that have been the highlights of many races in recent seasons.

My only issue would be pit to car radio. Its is useful for such things as Yellow Flags, Safety Car..etc. Therefore, Pit to Car Radio should be used by the race steward only where a message is issued to all cars at the same time warning of any Safety related issue. The Teams should not have the ability to contact their Driver, though if there is a safety issue with that specific car, that again should be done via the Race Steward who would deliver the message. Hopefully that would be the last of ‘Baby-sitting’ style messages that were Rob Smedley’s trademark.

on 26th February 2014 at 12:59

David N

plus one for time to change. It is time that the “old guard” realises that they are in a new world and clear out of the way for people with their eye on good racing rather than high income and vested interests.

on 26th February 2014 at 13:46

Paddy Willmer

I have not watched F1 on TV for over a year and won`t until it changes as you have advocated, so all power to you and I can settle down again and watch proper motor racing.

on 26th February 2014 at 14:06

John Erskine

Bye bye Bernie.

on 26th February 2014 at 15:07

Andre

If you’re suggesting banning pit-to-driver communication, how about banning telemetry while you’re at it? Doing so would eliminate the need for rows of team personnel to be glued to data monitors throughout all practice and race sessions (cost savings) and reward drivers & engineers who communicate really well together (increase importance on the driver).

on 26th February 2014 at 15:10

GG

Congrats! You’ve laid on paper my dreams. I would have added something to greatly reduce downforce in favour of the mechanical grip. We should reintroduce active suspensions and huge tyres to see more sideways driving.

on 26th February 2014 at 15:17

George Rutherford

Why this continual sniping at the man who has made F1 popular the world over – Motor Sport has always been run by those who bend the rules or who’s interpretation of them is not main stream
get over it. Spend more effort on the WRC and ERC rather than banging on about F!

on 26th February 2014 at 15:22

Al

Fun and all that, but they have ignored 50 million of us; what makes you think they will listen to you?

on 26th February 2014 at 15:39

Artist

Bravo from an F1 enthusiast in America. I respect you for stepping up. Please produce a podcast on this topic.

on 26th February 2014 at 15:52

Doug Addington

Wonderful! I have been so fed up with F1 for the last 10 to 15 years that I no longer watch. And although Austin, Tx is 80 miles up the road, I would never attend an F1 race the way things are today. I wish you all of the best and hope that people of influence will pay attention to your position. It is way past time for a major shakeup.

on 26th February 2014 at 16:10

Justin Frost

Bravo from another UK fan 100% behind you.

on 26th February 2014 at 16:22

Carlos Sanchez

Subscription renewed, no question about it!

on 26th February 2014 at 16:36

Rich Ambroson

Looking forward to reading this.

re: “F1″:

Step one. BCE must go (to Hell, preferably).

Step two. Increase power, reduce downforce.

Step three. Put Gordon Murray in charge.

on 26th February 2014 at 16:37

Rich Ambroson

I feel very good about the fact that I just renewed my subscription. Thank you MotorSport for taking a stand.

on 26th February 2014 at 16:39

Grant

SOLD! I’m on my way to the newsagent.

Thanks for doing this.

on 26th February 2014 at 16:40

Nigel Averill

Thank you for being the only magazine with the courage and the balls to say what needs to be said. I have been a motorsport fan since I was seven years old, over 50 years and for about 10 years F1 has been a travesty. Ecclestone is a pint sized bully and a thug. Why were all the other team owners taken in by him so completely ? Money is the only thing that matters. Bernie I’ve news for you, you can’t take it with you where you are going ! Anyway it would catch fire as soon as you get there. It’s an appalling vista that so much is being sucked out of the sport by people who have zero interest in it. All the great European circuits lost and replaced by bloody Tilkedromes in countries where no-one cares about motorsport. Can a new formula not come into being and the teams just walk away from F1 as it is now. This is what it will take for the sport to come back. Anyway thanks for reading my rant…!!!

on 26th February 2014 at 16:44

Dave Cubbedge

I whole-heartedly agree with all the bullet-points listed above. Add to that rules for engine and chassis that will give engineers inventive flexibility and originality. Bring back the option of running a V12 for heavens’ sake!! All this ‘green’ technology simply doesn’t belong in F1. As of right now, I see sportscars as being the pinnacle of motorsport….sure isn’t F1 anymore.

The new F1 rules and the struggles from the teams in pre-season testing lead me to believe that in Melbourne we’ll see six or seven finishers and the 3rd place guy maybe two laps down. I also believe that we will se a season without a single Red Bull win….unless Renault has been sand-bagging. Maybe if Marussia and Caterham can become reliable, they can score a point or two by just being there at the end!

This year could be the year where even Indycar rivals F1 for great racing….after all we got a lot of really good drivers in good cars….I think things are looking up.

on 26th February 2014 at 17:05

Michael

Very brave (although I don’t know why it should be) and very admirable. What about all the other great racing series that have suffered – and continue to – under the wheels of the F1 roller-coaster? It consumes a disproportional amount of the focus and investment in motorsport globally, and squeezes out many a worthy initiative. Still mourning the passing of Group C.

Hurrah – enough is enough – it is ironic that at just the time that Silverstone gets a definitive contract the sport has never been less attractive and more artificial than it has ever been. I will not be going to the grand prix I will go Le Mans instead.

Enough with meaningless pit stops for no apparent reason, enough with the requirement to run both types of tyre just because you have to, enough with look alike cars that might just as well be a single make series and enough with “the show” ….All of this was (in theory) designed to avoid monotony and still we have Red Bull dominance – please please please can we go to an open formula – fastest car driver wins, fastest car / tyre / engine wins – I don’t care or want engine specs to be frozen – I want all sorts of powertrain options encouraging innovation, change and relevance….and I want Mark Webber back !

I presume you refer to NO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS between Pit & Driver! I agree, but will miss Rob Smedley & Kimi etc.
Tyre war without question a good idea. Get rid of the fake DRS and go back to the old (excellent) points system.

on 26th February 2014 at 17:54

Paul Foster

Finally – the voice of reason.
Whether it was over racing in Bahrain or some other embarrassment, Bernie has long since lost any credibility as the mover & shaker so revered for so long (I know not why). I wish him no ill, but how many other ‘Dictators’ have clung stubbornly to power long after their time has passed, and done so much lasting harm in the process. Let’s please act before it’s too late.
Power to the people !!

on 26th February 2014 at 18:06

Brian Puplett

Oh thank you, thank you so much for doing this, it is time to change. After 50 years of following motor racing I was beginning to switch off the rubbish that is being fed us, true racers like Lewis Hamilton should not have to race at half speed …… Oh I could go on and on.

on 26th February 2014 at 18:22

Terry Jacob

Wholeheartedly agree with Mark’s proposals , just hope the teams have the guts to adopt such ideas unilaterally. Up until now they’ve been turkeys voting for Christmas……………….

on 26th February 2014 at 18:23

John R. Wright

Dear Damien:
Couldn’t agree more with your comments on F1. But I am an old fart who harkens back to the days of Clark, Hill, Surtees and Gurney. Change seems to be happening exponentially these days but the essentials of Motorsport remain the same: Go faster than the other guy or gal and get there first. Martin Brundle said that certain people were “I’ll with their money.” Greed is the name of the game and medieval theologians had it right when they named greed as one of the deadly sins as it feeds on itself to the exclusion of everything else.
Cheers, John R. Wright

on 26th February 2014 at 18:23

David Ruddick

Get out Bernie, the future waits for the new generation not the one who have held the power for way to long,
Emergency Working Party go Gordon Murray, Ross Brawn and Patrick Head and a recently retired straight talking driver who hails from the Land of Aussie, yes Mark we need your Anti Bullshit theories as soon as possible.
Tyre choice, not a costly war,which allows the likes of Pirelli and hopefully Goodyear and Michelin to show how good their products really are, Joe Public who just happens to tune in on a Sunday must wonder why Pirelli make such crap tyres, surely no supplier to a worldwide sport needs its products so badly misrepresented.
Limit on costs and mutual support deals to help the newbies to survive and contribute to the sports future, remember Ferrari, McLaren et al had to start somewhere to get to where they are today, we must encourage new blood for the healthy future of all involved,.

on 26th February 2014 at 18:28

Paul Redding

Whilst I applaud your programme (which is ostensibly a summary of all things we have read and known about for some time); we must live in a commercial world unfortunately. So whilst I agree F1 has gone too far to commercialise the show/rake min revenues, I dare Motor Sport to publish an idea what contibution advertising makes to its cost base ie without it would you exist and to attract ads you need people to read stories which must be attarctive and entertaining, which isnt too far from the principle of F1 is it?

on 26th February 2014 at 18:50

Joe E

You are right but I’m afraid it is too late for many of us. I’ve given up on F1

on 26th February 2014 at 18:59

Peter Settle

Sorry guys but excessive commercialism is not restricted to F1-look at soccer,cricket athletics and the whole Olympic movement.F1 does not exist in a vacuum and we have to play our game in the same backyard.Taking excessive money out of sport generally is the issue I’m afraid and no I don’t have any magic formula more’s the pity

on 26th February 2014 at 19:06

john miller

Stirring stuff!

I recall Mr Roebuck’s story of writing a critical article on BE and then getting a strange message from the machine when he inserted his paddock pass at the next race…

Wonder what BE has in store for you chaps this time?

on 26th February 2014 at 19:35

Clive Stewart

All good stuff but what do we have to do to get those with the authority and interest to implement these changes, I wonder.

on 26th February 2014 at 19:40

Clive Stewart

All good stuff but what do we have to do to get those with the authority and interest to implement these changes, I wonder….

on 26th February 2014 at 19:41

Rob

That’s a fantastic start in opening up a wider debate. I can’t however, forget the fact that while at Autosport it was Mr Hughes’s magazine that published great articles on the benefits of Sky TV, took the internet site behind a pay wall, produced an article in the middle of the court battle between Lotus Cars and what is now Caterham claiming “the real Lotus is back” and generally doing everything to support the commercial side of F1 rather than the racing aspect. We can’t have our cake and eat it. Sadly, I think it’s too late for a sport that has long ago abandoned the concept of development through on track brilliance and engineering innovation in favor of commercial and financial gain. While teams are still able to generate millions to sustain themselves at the top (something which they will never willingly give up) there will always be the haves and have nots. While the sport franchises places for the lucky few teams or instead of hiring the best drivers in the world, makes room for those with enough money to buy a ride, there is no real hope. As I said at the top though, your article is very important in trying to develop a groundswell of change however, I fear it is too little too late.

on 26th February 2014 at 20:01

Lezza

Yes, all good, but much more can be done to bring back the spectacle and competitive honesty, e.g., mandatory nil downforce tubs and no wings.

on 26th February 2014 at 20:04

John Patterson

Mark Hughes’ “hot list” is a good start…pick any six and we’re on our way to improving F-1 for most fans.

Bernie’s not the problem nor the solution, and hasn’t been for several years. At the center of the problem is the ravenous greed that permeates F-1 management, promoters, team owners and, yes, many of the drivers. Noteworthy changes will be resisted at all levels.

on 26th February 2014 at 20:18

David H

Courageous of ya indeed. Ditto a poster above hoping you’ve already got lifetime pit passes. Some of those in power are ill (as in sick) with it and would not surprise me in the least to see Motorsport censored or hampered in any way by them.

on 26th February 2014 at 20:19

DeWitt Payne

Ban pit to driver communication? Does that include pit boards too? Oh, puhleez. All you technophobes might just as well push for a return to 1967 rules. Big motors, compared to the 1600cc formula anyway, no aero and rock hard tires. Those were the days!

on 26th February 2014 at 20:35

David Fraipont.Baker

Bravo. Thanks for demonstrating that Motor Sport is not one of Ecclestone´s myriad sycophants and continues to uphold the traditions of WB and Jenks and “tell it like it is”

on 26th February 2014 at 20:41

Ray In Toronto, Canada (Ray T (The other one))

I know why people want Pits-to-Car radio banned – but radio can prevent a horrific crash. Sometimes a driver needs to warned of undue danger – and not just to themselves.

Obviously I’m picking up my copy of the new issue as soon as it hits downtown Toronto.

(Shame about the cover)

Hehe

on 26th February 2014 at 20:49

Martyn gibson

I agree with your suggestion for the future of f1. F1 needs rescuing from the clutches of Bernie and his fellow fat cats and returned to the those who want uncomplicated, fair and exciting motor racing

on 26th February 2014 at 20:49

Lewis Lane

Of course, there’s no chance of anyone in authority reading this and taking any notice… However, i’m bloody glad that at last somebody with an involvement, and not merely a spectator, has had the guts to put their heads above the parapet and say that enough’s enough. Hopefully more will follow. I’m slowly coming round to the idea that the whole F1 edifice has to tear itself apart and be rebuilt with a real world reality check; if that means F1 disappearing for a couple of years – so be it…
Good work, and thanks for making a stand.

on 26th February 2014 at 21:06

Zaki Ghul

I like most of the ideas and will be picking up the new issue to have a more complete view of your proposals. But..I feel that F1 main problem is that we have reached a point whereby our scientific approach is so exact as to create a constant convergence of solutions to any given problem. Thus we end up with closely matched, similarly looking cars with incredible reliability. For the boredom that was 2013, 2012 and 2010 were some of the most exciting I have seen in close to 20 years. We have some of the best drivers in generations. Sure DRS we can do without, and better tires would be nice, but how is it worse than 80′s adjustable turbo boosts and fuel management? And how is a tire warfare not a superficial additive? Perhaps the problem on our hands is a reflection of where we are technologically and is something that can’t be undone. Redo 2013 without DRS and tires that wear-out to quickly, and we would still would end up with boring races were everyone finishes near on the lead lap behind a redbull and maybe on occasion a mercedes.

Thank you guys for finally starting what I hope will be a total game-change for OUR sport. You have already been outspoken, frequently expressing all of our discontent with the gradual insane malaise which has infected our sport from the top down. I think your suggestions are great, but I would like to see it go much further than that…. The vested interests in the current set-up are so powerful that I doubt that your suggestions will even reach their doorstep, without being swiftly removed to the rubbish bin. Since the current madness is a result of rampant greed selfishness, a total revolution will be required. So, why not start a completely new Formula1 ??
Take along some of the existent players if they want to join, subject to them signing up to the rules and ethos of the constitution of the new Formula 1. If the FIA does not play ball, start a new Governing Body…. In the meantime, boycott the present mad set-up as much as possible by various ways and means…. The people with power in F1 today must be purged from the sport. Bernie will still rule from behind his prison bars……. you bet ye! So, a totally new and fresh start, with a proper constitution enshrining the ethos and purpose of the sport in a way that will never allow nameless and faceless greed to “own” and corrupt the sport again. There is a lot more I would like to suggest, but I am running out of space….. I would like to hear how others feel about my rather radical suggestion.

on 26th February 2014 at 22:14

Bob

A great decision, and awesome comments as well. I have nothing invested in Grand Prix except joy. Your bold move gives me hope for all of you who are part of this sport and know its history. I will delay doubling the amount of time I spend on my Grand Prix Legends simulator and keep my subscription active.

on 26th February 2014 at 22:55

PropJoe

Nigel Roebucks article makes a lot more sense now. I dont think I agree with any point except maybe scrap 80% of the Tilke dromes including double points races, but I admire the courage. This article has been long overdue since the end of 1997 (or may 1994). For this ill reward Motorsport Magazine with a one time purchase of this particular issue, and lets hope it may change someting.

on 26th February 2014 at 23:10

Mike N

“a season that is impossible to predict”..that’s not a good thing?
looking forward to the season more than I have for a few previous… and that is a season without Mark Webber being commented on by a Mark Webber fan.
Lots to agree with here. Like the cricket and football. It seems that the more there is, the less inclined I am to watch ..there’ll be another one next week so why make the effort to stay up late for every race. By the end of the season I realise I’ve really only seen most of 8-10 events out of 18 when a 12 round season would have had me glued, start to finish, to all of them. The money, of course, is gross and attendance prices ridiculous. I stopped attending Melbourne the year concert entertainment was introduced to package a “weekend of excitement”. (in a hopeless attempt to increase attendance numbers, the total gate takings and Bernie’s hip pocket). Want to see it as it was?
Off to the Phillip Island historics next weekend to tyre kick all manner of machines, smell some avgas, wander the pits and the entire track area for a day. $20. No contest.

on 27th February 2014 at 00:39

vibjorn

i agree with your list of things that needs fixing
however i would add high on the list ( as i said at that evening with sir strling moss)

1.MORE FOCUS ON QALIFYING by giving lets say 3,2 and 1 point(s) to the top 3 in q3 and abandon the stupid “start the race on q3 tyres” rule, instead let teams have ( Qualifying ??) tyres enough so we can enjoy the sight and sound of drivers going flat out for pole like in the senna days, maybe have a new lap record from time to time and see who is really the fastest driver and yes give him the “pole trophy”as well at the end of the season for his efforts.
2. MORE MECHANICAL GRIP by reintroducing the wider slick tyre
yes safety first but F1 should be realy faster than anything else aspecially in the corners, if not it just isn`t F1 anymore !! we dont want F1,5 just ask the drivers.
3. allthough f1 is now way too regulated and too controlled MAKE NEW RULES to get rid of those noses and ugly and messy front wings in particular, make wings simpler but bigger instead to compensate for the loss of downforce so we can enjoy the sight of beautiful F1 cars again.
4. and offcourse get rid of all artficial means of overtaking and
REMOVE at least HALF THE BUTTONS on that steering wheel.

I think the new power units will be ok but if they dont get enough fuel to race i`m out

vibjorn, norway
.

on 27th February 2014 at 04:23

Seanda

Right on the money. Very well said! It is time for change and a new way forward. Formula One has changed so much since ’66 when I first followed it…….some good and some not so. A return to sporting values and spectacle is well overdue.
More like this Mark Hughes and Motor Sport, the true voice of the Sport…….

on 27th February 2014 at 04:27

Woodcat

Bernie should have gone a long time ago… and let’s give the designers a lot more freedom (except for the high noses) and even bring back the ground effects and the V8 engines….

on 27th February 2014 at 06:40

John

At last Motor Sport has the confidence to start something controversial. With the growth of Motor Sport’s popularity, circulation and readership over the past 10-15 years this new found confidence is welcome. Well Done.

on 27th February 2014 at 08:59

JP

F1 has been “The Emperor’s New Clothes” for way too long and finally people are stating the obvious. Ecclestone should have gone log ago. Put the rules of the sport in the hands of people who think like Gordon Murray. Give teams a choice of whether to re-fuel, change tyres etc. Get rid of the radios and cut down the number of pit-stop crew. Maybe I’ll even return to watching the racing!

on 27th February 2014 at 09:18

john aston

It’s easy to focus on the detail but it isn’t helpful.The key point , I think, is that people who care about motor sport want a less artificial and less complex F1 taking place in its traditional homeland- countries which have had or still have active motor racing communities. So Sweden , South Africa and New Zealand can be in but Korea and Turkey are out,

But … F1 is no longer at the top of a racing pyramid with FF1600, F3 and F2 / 3000 below it. It occupies a separate pyramid , shared only with GP 2 which is kept very firmly in its support player role – we will never see a GP 2 race as a standalone a la F2 etc.

Worse still , F1 has a massive fanbase who are not interested in nor even aware of the bigger motorsport picture. They want lots of races and don’t care where they are held . Some have told me they’d never attend a live race as they can”t see enough and ..err..it’s too noisy..They want to watch a big crystal TV in HDI, laptop on knees and smartphone in hand. They get excited about stuff which bore me rigid and post mortem the race endlessly on websites like Pistonheads . They ultimately are the cashcows which F1 milks as so much of the income obviously comes from TV rights.

I’ve watched GP cars live for over 40 years and I still get goosebumps when I hear the cars leave the pits and the noise , smell and spectacle leave me almost breathless.They are all sensations which simply do not matter to the average F1 fanboy – he’s more interested in Hamilton’s trivial beyond words tweets.

on 27th February 2014 at 09:23

Nuno Ferreira

ABSOLUTLY..altough with delayed, THIS is the position we must HAVE to ALL things in life that have gone astray….don’t believe the ones who say it’s not possible, it’s possible as long as you want…the proof is that the adultarated system, in theire time, also had to took it from the previous rulers…and they managed it!…they are not SUPERHumans, they just have the will to enforce things, one “atribute” that WE ALL share!!!

Congratulations for the stand position…as a Portuguese fan and reader who lives dificult imposed times, these are indeed inspirational positions!

on 27th February 2014 at 09:25

ivandjj

!!! Damien Smith for President of EU !!!

Such clear thinking and courageus people are exactly whats needed to get this world out of the mud.

And back to F1 1967 downforce/power ratio, please.

on 27th February 2014 at 10:01

Kenup283

Can’t say I agree. In all forms of live, we must evolve to the environment and its changing demands, or we die out. Cease to exist.

F1 is adapting to its environment. If there are changes every other weekend, it’s merely a product of an audience with ever shortening attention spans. If you don’t like pushing buttons to pass, blame video games. As foreign a concept that seems, this is what kids have been brought up thinking is part of every racing car.

If the outline proposed above is implemented it will begin a downward spiral again by drawing attention away from emerging audience and back to the aging and natually decreasing audience.

on 27th February 2014 at 10:15

Christopher Keeble

Haven’t got this months magazine yet but having just read this email, it’s down tools and straight out to read the full article. Fantastic! Well done! Good Luck. Right behind you. I could not agree with you more.

on 27th February 2014 at 11:42

PropJoe

Fully agree qualifying should be all about a good fight for pole position, not some souped up letsforcethebigteamsoutionallsessions-routine. I dont give a damn about Q1 and Q2.

on 27th February 2014 at 12:55

Alex Cox

Excellent. A bit of passion beyond the balance sheet of billionaires and bankers. At last.

on 27th February 2014 at 13:48

John

Oh dear! apart from good thoughts on losening technical regualtions and reintroducing competition to the FI tyre supply I’m afraid the rest of this reads much like the usual nostalgic view of motor racing, expressed by those who are mature enough to fondly remember an era when their youthful enthusiasm for FI first burned so bright they now need rose tints to look back at it!
Big budgets were always a factor in success and the drivers were not all swashbuckling heroes either. I suppose we could always put the engines back in front of the car for a freshen up eh?

on 27th February 2014 at 14:02

John

PS… and I’m old enough to remembver a late night BBC2 braodcast of the 1973 Spanish grand prix. Oh and finally, I don’t thinks it’s either brave, courageous or ‘gutsy’ to offer a critique of one’s chosen sport. Its a point of view and fair emough, that’s all

on 27th February 2014 at 14:13

Terry Williams

The current situation when viewed from afar is ludicrous.
Stand back and describe the sport to a stranger and he would question your credibility. No it doesn’t really work like that does it? But you can’t call it a sport can you?
Power to your elbow Motor Sport speak for us all.

on 27th February 2014 at 18:24

ray fk

It all started to go wrong in 1994.Refuelling,which led to a tactical sprint instead of racing.Then came Imola and a massive safety push led to the destruction of all the great corners and loads of silly chicanes.This led to boring tactical sprints around these new boring circuits.All new circuits being built had to be safe and therefore had loads of silly slow corners with massive run-off areas.Once refuelling was scrapped after 2010 (2011?) there came Bahrain first Grand Prix of the year and it SUCKED.The circuits were safer but they were absolutely crap for REAL racing .In comes DRS and silly tyres with the odd GP held at night .This year double points.I’VE SAID IT BEFORE AND I’LL SAY IT AGAIN MODERN F1 IS A MASSIVE JOKE. You reap what you sow.

on 27th February 2014 at 19:03

Piero Dessimone

If Farce1 will ever be Formula 1 again the new technical rules to be written by:
Gordon Murray, Patrick Head, Ross Brawn, Mauro Forghieri, Gerard Ducarouge and Gary Anderson.

on 27th February 2014 at 20:59

Grant Diggle

As one who has followed F1 from the early 1960′s as a young boy and whilst I know it might sound churlish in my humble opinion apart from a few very brief periods the actual racing and competition has got steadily worse over the decades. Gone are the flamboyant drivers and team owners. Gone are the real wheel to wheel racing with competitors who both trusted their own skills and that of their rivals. Gone is the essence that once was a great sport. Especially during the Ferrari Schumacher era it was a dreary boring parade. I agree with most of Mark Hughes suggestions. F1 needs to be broken as it is and then reborn in the spirit of the early days the 1950′s 1960′s.

on 28th February 2014 at 00:36

Michael Brown

I have been a F1 follower since attending my first GP at Brands Hatch in the sixties. Last week I said to my son, also a follower, that, sadly, I am losing my passion for the sport. I guess that’s just it, it is no longer the same sport! We will both attend the Australian GP in a couple of weeks, as we always do, but I’m afraid the old level of excitement is not there! Theses days there are so many contrived gimmicks to make it commercial that I think it might have lost sight of its origins, when a GP was a motor RACE (where everybody goes as fast as they can). I agree with much that you have written in this article.

on 28th February 2014 at 04:15

PaulRS

Perfect, bring it on!
The i-s*** kids can have their eco/green/energy recovery/fuel saving button pushing version of F1 when i am in my box, until then give me very loud cars, very wide tyres, gutsy drivers and whatever shape cars and size of engines the designers have to produce for some great wheel to wheel no holds barred racing!
Or…..
Keep the new F1 on the Tdrone circuits with a driver maximum age limit of 21, and run the real F1 on the historical circuits with drivers who can think for themselves and have only one desire – to win.
This way we can all find out which version generates the most cash, largest TV numbers etc.

on 28th February 2014 at 05:34

Taz

I’ve been watching motor racing on TV since Giancarlo Baghetti won the 1961 French Grand Prix (in black & white). That race was very exciting but in more recent years it’s rarely been like that, for me anyway. The last time I stood up while watching a GP on the goggle-box was Monaco 1992 when the great Ayrton Senna kept Nigel Mansell at bay but now I just fall asleep.
As for me the most important thing about Grand Prix racing is I want my favourite car or driver to win, not the pit crew, without all the daft rules and regs about tyres and stuff or those penalties about racing too hard. Okay, no one should intentionally bump another driver out of the race but there is a limit, don’t you think? After all, the clue is in the name of the game . If you need new boots, a little more juice or your nose wants fixing, that’s fine and you’re then welcome to pitsville. Otherwise stay out there and race!
Oh, and another thing, let’s bring back Spa, de Nurburgring and dear old Brands Hatch, surely the best racing circuits in the World?
Anyway, that’s what I think, but there again I am getting on a bit and maybe a little dotty with it.

on 28th February 2014 at 12:23

mfreire75

As a fan of motorsports (Formula 1 included) I agree with all but 2 of those things Mr. Hughes has brought up- in order for F1 to be sustained in the future, particuarly the bit about the financial struggles of F1. The current financial structure is set up that way to benefit Ecclestone and a few other people- that can’t go on.

What I do not agree with is the idea of the reduced 15 round calendar set in countries with a strong F1 fanbase. Formula One would go back to being a European sport, not a world sport- that’s cold water right in the face for anyone who thinks Europe is basically the world. That’s one of the current things I like about Formula One now- it really is a world sport, whereas from 2007 and before it was a European sport that just so happened to go to a few other places occasionally in the world. If there were 15 rounds like Mr. Hughes would want them, all but 3 or 4 rounds would be in Europe, the UK and Italy would have 2 rounds apiece and… that’s not a world sport. 15 rounds is too few for modern F1- I would actually like to see 25 rounds- the teams could do it if their earnings were increased like they should be.

Granted, I am not a fan of the current rounds in China, Bahrain and Malaysia- but I am a fan of the Indian, Abu Dhabi and Singapore rounds. In my opinion F1 should also be in countries like Finland, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Thailand, Hong Kong and some small island (Sint Maarten) in the Carribean, and F1 should be racing on a Roval in the United States (oval and road course combined), like Auto Club Speedway in California.

on 28th February 2014 at 18:57

mfreire75

Another thing I don’t agree with is the removal of pit to driver communications- what is wrong with that? That is totally necessary, I think. It’s better for the teams’s organization, better for the drivers, better for everyone, I think. This isn’t Jolly Old Chaps’ Club Racing at Snetterton or Oulton Park- Formula One is the Premier League. It’s a very serious business- the forefront of automotive technology; there should be lots of money involved within F1 for developing technology. It has done no real harm to the actual spectacle and competitive edge of Formula One.

And also, I don’t really agree (although not as strongly) with there are general cost caps for chassis engineering freedom. In a series like GP2 (not much of a feeder series) all the cars should be equal- that will weed out the weaklings and determine who is good and serious enough for the top level of international open-wheel motorsports.

And also- if you people (particularly Mr. Hughes) at MotorSport Magazine wrote this article as part of a wish to reduce your travel expenses to races, then shame on you. I think if the teams could restructure the earnings financially, they could do 25 Grand Prix in a season (27 races should be the most, no more)- start the season in January, take a month break, have another race in February and then have another 3 week break to start the consistent racing season in early March.

on 28th February 2014 at 19:14

mfreire75

I also include Morocco in that list of countries. Maybe the Moroccan royal family should buy the Bahraini royal family’s controlling interest in McLaren…

on 28th February 2014 at 20:20

David H

G’luck to yourselves (and us fans) with this. Am skeptical, feel the powers that be are too far down the greed/power road—may be most important is what increases their power (or threatens it), and questions of ‘sport’ are in the lip-service/spin category. Be careful in your journey, might be stirring up a hornet’s nest….-)

And kudos for your striking such a chord, I had no idea you’d gather such a response. Wonderful.

on 1st March 2014 at 00:02

Tony

Bravo
As an Aussie watching for a far I agree.
F1 is a sad farce.
Let’s see some real racing without aero and wind tunnels. Back to the sixties style of cars with mechanical grip and spectacular racing. Get rid of DRS/rubbish tyres. Bring it on boys!!!
Piss of Bernie & CVC

on 1st March 2014 at 13:09

Eric Schmidt

Greetings,

Revolution has been trending globally – so why not F1? As long as it doesn’t involve tent cities and bonfires.

I agree with your points, but have concerns of where the events would be held. Unfortunately, here in America, F1 gets little to no promotion – although there are many fans and the crowd at Circuit of the Americas demonstrated it.

NASCAR has a strangle hold on the American mind-set (not me though). Maybe Ron Howards film will enlighten race fans that never gave F1 a chance. I’m sure that an American team much more interest – except finding the backing is difficult due to the PR problem. So I would hate the notion that due to the lack of PR, no races would be held here.

I do have mixed feelings regarding the communications notion (But until I receive my issue, I’m not sure what is being suggested).

First we must overcome the antics at the start of this season.

on 2nd March 2014 at 00:44

colin

I don’t suppose we could have cars with legible numbers?

on 2nd March 2014 at 12:17

Mike Obermaier

This goes some of the way and would be a welcome development. But more, much more is needed. There needs to be a return to circuits which are (and look) demanding. We need to get away from these antiseptic operating theatre facilities and back to racing circuits. We need to change the cars radically by reducing the wings to a single small rectangular element on each side of the nose. A small wing at the back. Reintroduce big fat tyres and give the cars lots of horepower. Most importantly, stop all this nonsensical tyre stop baloney, two stop or three stop strategy, etc etc.. A single set of tyres for the race which can only be changed in the event of puncture or change of weather. That would bring spectacle and racing.

on 2nd March 2014 at 22:34

Taz

I’m all for changing back to cars racing without all the current daft rules, penalties and high technology . Go back to manual gear boxes and stop all that tyre chopping and changing, unless necessary.
HOWEVER, I do not think we should be rude about Mr E. he’s made (maybe over made) F1 but he’s kept it going for a long time and should at least be respected for that..

on 3rd March 2014 at 07:28

Brett

It is easy; abolish all aerodynamic devices which increase cornering speed. Why? Because only the car with no car in front can completely utilise the aerodynamics. Hence, close racing becomes an impossiblity. MotoGP always produces close racing because it runs no aerodynamic aids.
Secondly, stipulate to tyre manufacturers, they must produce tyres which shed no (or vastly less) ‘marbles’. Why? So that the whole width of circuits can be used when wanting to ‘out brake’ an opponent.
Roebuck has been loud & proud in wanting the first point I write of.

on 3rd March 2014 at 12:32

torquemada

Bravo. Some magazine with the courage to shake up the world. I hope cvc, does something and show the fans the are worthy.

on 4th March 2014 at 09:17

CHRIS HOLTON

Just a set of tyres, a full tank of fuel, something akin to Formula Libre rules and circuits designed for spectators will do for me thank you. Unfortunately “progress” is difficult to reverse.

on 4th March 2014 at 20:55

AndrewB94

Allow teams to go back to a real amount of testing. Its embarrassing hearing about how drivers are doing well on the simulator. Also by testing at tracks you might bring a crowd in who then might become interested.

on 4th March 2014 at 21:01

Peter Suchy

Good to see the beginnings of a debate. I am 61 and remember standing next to Emmerson Fittipaldi in the paddock at Brands while the mechanics were tending to the car. Today that simply would not happen. Yes open out the technical regulations but reign in aero. The cars owe too much to aero performance, in my view this is wrong, all these appendages on the front wing et al are just awful. Bring back 460mm rear tyres, ban bodywork at least from the bell housing rearwards to reduce aero, and cost, (and lets see the mechanical bits) and lets see some more mechanical grip and lets be able to see them being driven in ernest again. I was watching Villeneuve and Arnoux from 1979, such great racing [and respect] that we wouldn’t see today. This change to the V6 turbo and energy recovery is all very well but where is the cacophony of the V/flat 8/10/12 cylinders engines we used to have, that noise that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up? Lets make it where a new team could come in at the beginning of a season and at least get a podium during it’s first season. These days that would be impossible, mainly due to the aero needs of the modern F1 car.
I’ll leave it there to be added to the debate, if at all.

on 6th March 2014 at 18:22

chrisb

well Damian, you’ve certainly got a response – funny enough i thought this month’s magazine a bit of an effort and not as excellent – still very good and wipes any other magazine into dust but just not as excellent but can’t work out why.

Artificial F1, was bound to become unstuck, greed of cvc was bound to have a sad ending – tragically for motorsport not for those lovely ‘people’ whose demand for profit has sacrificed and is at risk of burning their golden goose.

Unlike others i have no desire to go back to earlier times – too many people needlessly died for that, what i would harp on about are things like: fuel efficiency, irrespective of engine, now, can someone correct me but just how many people reading this magazine or driving cars have paddle gears?

anyway after 91 comments you’ve certainly stirred some emotions MS,

p.s. the Paul Tracy piece is excellent, what a top bloke

on 9th March 2014 at 08:59

Oscar88

By now Formula 1 is such a boring sport…a cheer for the revolution!!!

on 20th March 2014 at 08:49

Roy

I don’t imagine that you’ll hear many objections to these proposals – from enthusiasts, anyway. However F1 is a huge worldwide business and the decisions that determine its form will be generated by the money, not the fans. And probably not even by the teams, who will be easily suborned.

on 21st March 2014 at 00:06

zak

I agree 100% with your proposal.

When starts the break-away serie ?

Because, there will be no other way to get rid of the actual F-1.

on 23rd March 2014 at 20:06

Brett

‘Unlike others i have no desire to go back to earlier times – too many people needlessly died for that,..’

This is an answer to ‘chrisb, 9 March 2014 08:59′;

Personally, and many people agree on this point; contemporary Formula One, F1, Eff Wunn, etcetera, should incorporate only qualities which we; the public, the fans, the ‘bread n’ buttah’ (that €cc£$tone needs to compensate for his lack of penis size) want in open wheel racing.

I, also, do not want to go back to days when drivers died horribly, or were maimed for life or witnessed scenes which could only cause perpetual nightmares. (The people who do are not motor sport fans, they are ghouls)

BUT, there were/are some brilliant ‘pros and cons’ for then (the 1960′s) and now. The most obvious of ‘now’ is the technology of carbon fibre. This has saved countless drivers from death & injury.

An incorporation of the zero ‘aero’ of 1967 & contemporary carbon fibre & Kevlar would do just fine.

on 28th March 2014 at 08:45

Hamish

Same as always…..hiss, roar, magazines sold, silence.

There is no time like the present.

Life without Bernie, not life after Bernie. If we don’t want 50% of the profits going to a hedge fund then a breakaway series must occur.

F1 is up itself ! Much more complicated than it need be !. Make the RACERS actually RACE.
1/ use DRS when, where, or if drivers want.2/ Tyres, 4 on car, start race on qualify set, change any time but only 2 at a time. No other restrictions. 3/ No electronic data transfer at all while car is on track(saves all those expensive wages etc) 4/ Teams MAY enter up to 4 cars & drivers, any 3 May start the race if they qualify. No more than 2 team cars on track at same time in practice or qualifying, more exposure for sponsors & may show expensive driver not be worth their money ! 5/ Full flat bottoms, front axle to rear axle line & minimum ground clearance with 500kg static download on roll bar. Get it simple !!!!

Bernard Ecclestone, is, and always was, a defining ‘spiv’. He is from the era the term was in wide use, traded second cars (natch) and learnt early on that rather than generating money through labour or creativity, it was more financially advantageous to target the money of other success, in dubious ‘sales’ negotiations.
The result is Formula One Management, a schema to shake down the wealthiest industries and national ‘sports and entertainment’ budgets foolish enough to get involved with BE’s negotiation skillset.
For all its success, this has its downside. In early 80′s, BE saw the under utilised commercial value in television broadcasting and never looked back, until the internet arrived. F.O.M. has the television rights as a negotiated annual package, and like many older folk, BE can’t find value for that fixed deal in the internet. What he fails to see is that his model is still in the 80/90′s without an internet presence. No presence, just think about that, as you read these and the article above in on online forum of Motorsport.
BE’s primary money making negotiations require exclusivity – television only – and have forced him to act as if the internet never happened. Rather than restructure, with new ideas for monetizing, Bernard cannot let go of his one great idea from the past. It means he is taking the formula into petrification with himself, it will require a complete overhaul and rebuilding of financial structures sooner or later, but BE will ride out on the fading glory of television money leaving the mess to others.
Once a spiv always a spiv.